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Drogba begins legal proceedings over ‘irresponsible journalism’

Date published: Thursday 14th April 2016 9:43

Didier Drogba has begun legal proceedings against the Daily Mail after his charity foundation was accused of misusing donations worth over £1.7million.

The report by the Mail reads: “A world-famous sports star’s charity backed by Princess Beatrice and David Beckham is under investigation after the Mail found less than 1 per cent of the cash it raised in the UK has gone to good causes.”

The article in question, published on Wednesday evening claims the Didier Drogba Foundation has diverted £14,115 to good causes, just 0.8% of the money raised in the United Kingdom, while £439,321 has been spent on lavish fundraising events.

The tabloid also claims the charity had promised to build a hospital and up to five other clinics in Drogba’s homeland of the Ivory Coast, but they claim just one clinic has been constructed, which remains empty and without staff.

Drogba has denied the claims and says: “There is no fraud, corruption, no mismanagement, no lies, no impropriety.”

The former Chelsea striker, currently playing for the Montreal Impact in MLS claims the Foundation, which was established almost 10 years ago, has already “caused an untold amount of damage” over the accusations.